Pyracantha coccinea Red Cushion (Scarlet Firethorn)
Noted for its disease resistance, Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Cushion’ (Scarlet Firethorn) is a thorny, evergreen shrub of compact and tidy habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves. From late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the spiny branches and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of shiny berries that ripen to bright red in fall and persist well into winter.
Noted for its disease resistance, Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Cushion’ (Scarlet Firethorn) is a thorny, evergreen shrub of compact and tidy habit with glossy, oval, dark green leaves. From late spring to early summer, a profusion of white flowers held in dense clusters cover the spiny branches and contrast nicely against the dark green foliage. They are followed by masses of shiny berries that ripen to bright red in fall and persist well into winter. Hungry birds feast on them. Versatile, this Scarlet Firethorn cultivar is perfect for use as an impenetrable hedge or screen or in shrub borders. It can also be grown against a wall or fence.
- Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
- Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Some drought tolerance.
- Great as a specimen plant, shrub borders, foundation plantings, barrier hedges, wall-side borders, and cottage gardens.
- Watch for scab, fireblight and leaf blight.
- Native to southeastern Europe, the Himalayas and central China.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 6 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 6 – 9 |
| Climate Zones | 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Pyracantha – Firethorns |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
| Spread | 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm) |
| Spacing | 36″ – 60″ (90cm – 150cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |